Table saw outfeed / Planer table

This is my dual purpose outfeed / planer table. When not in use, the planer rotates and stores underneath. All parts are panels made from 1/2 plywood on a frame of 3/4″ x 2″ ash. I laminated the visible surfaces.

Switching from Outfeed table to planer takes about 20 seconds.

I spent as much time in SketchUp as I did in the shop on this project. Making sure things would rotate to the proper position and height without hitting other pieces and parts. Thank you to all those industrious SketchUp people that make exact models of machines for the rest of us to download.

The planer & table top rotate on a 1″ keyed solid steel rod. The rod is attached to the sides with flange bearings. After a lot of searching for a rod, pipe, tubing, etc., I stumbled on a go kart axel. This had the advantage of being solid steel, exactly 1″ in diameter and had a keyed slot. I built a frame to mount both the the table top and planer to the axle. The frame is drilled to accept the axle and and notched to accept the key. The key helps prevent the entire mechanism from slipping as the axle rotates.When in the planing position, the table saw top serves as support for planed stock. There’s less than a 1/2″ difference height difference between the planer and the table saw surfaces.

I attached each side panel to the saw with a single screw through the angle iron on the saw. The screws plus the 1″ axle makes the entire assembly incredibly rigid. There are two additional cross members to further reduce any racking. The table top is very solid. I’ve put over 150 lbs on it w/ no issues.

The entire set up is on wheels so it’s officially mobile, but I’m not anxious to do that. I have to lower it back on to the wheels and detach from the saw. Moving it only takes 5 min, but realigning everything is a bit of a process.

Really happy I’ll never have to lift my planer again.

Total cost for the parts and materials was ~ $350

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